Vehicles towed as old-growth logging protests continue on Vancouver Island
Despite the approval of a two-year deferral on old-growth logging in southwestern Vancouver Island, protesters continue to camp in the area.
There are several reasons why, according to protesters, though the central one is that activists want old-growth trees to be protected in perpetuity.
"It's a step in the right direction, but that's it, it's just a step," said protester and Nuu-chah-nulth member Sage Mundy of the two-year deferral.
The two-year suspension of old-growth logging in the region came into effect after the deferral was requested by three Vancouver Island First Nations – the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht nations.
The deferral protects 884 hectares of old-growth forests in the Fairy Creek watershed and 1,150 hectares of old-growth in the central Walbran valley for the next two years as the nations develop long-term stewardship plans.
Leaders of the First Nations say they expect protesters not to interfere with other approved logging operations in the area.
"Visitors to the territory need to acknowledge the authority of Pacheedaht Hereditary Chief Frank Queesto Jones," said Pacheedaht Elected Chief Jeff Jones on Thursday.
The matter is complicated, however, as some Indigenous Elders who disagree with elected leadership are standing with protesters calling for greater protection of old-growth forests in B.C.
INJUNCTION ENFORCEMENT
As protests continue, forestry company Teal-Jones says some protesters have had their vehicles towed for parking in restricted areas.
The company says it is only removing vehicles that RCMP have identified as breaching a court-ordered injunction that allows blockades to be removed if they are impeding logging work.
"In some cases vehicle owners have removed their tires, positioned their vehicle at a narrow point, and taken other steps to hinder access and make removal as difficult as possible," said a Teal-Jones spokesperson on Thursday. "That strongly indicates the people parking those vehicles know they’re doing so illegally."
The company says that all costs related to towing and storing a vehicle is the responsibility of the vehicle's owner.
A notice form sent to CTV News shows that Teal-Jones is requesting $2,500 to return each vehicle.
"This amount is partial compensation for the damages that the vehicle caused Teal Cedar," reads the notice.
CTV News has reached out to RCMP for further details on vehicles being towed.
As of June 10, RCMP say that roughly 206 people had been arrested, mostly for breaching the injunction or obstruction. Of those people, at least 10 had been arrested once before.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Getting the lowest mortgage rates in a high interest rate world
The challenges facing home buyers mean it's all the more important to do research and negotiate on rates, mortgage experts say, though they also caution that there's more to focus on than just what looks like the cheapest upfront option.